Our faith-based community is an extremely important part of Orange County Public School’s efforts at cultivating sustained community engagement. Our missions to better our community dovetail when churches, synagogues, mosques, and all faith-based organizations harness the power of volunteerism and servant leadership to benefit the region’s youth in schools.

I encourage your organization to "Adopt-a-School" and applaud those who have been on this journey with us. Together we are stronger, and together we can exponentially increase the effects of our good works.

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Faith-based “Adopt-A-School” Initiative

For decades, faith-based organizations have been partnering with schools throughout Orange County. This year, Orange County Public Schools is expanding its outreach to faith- and community-based organizations to partner with public education.

In order to be the top producers of successful students in the nation; we have to be focused, determined and committed to providing our youth with as many resources as possible. Through the Partners in Education program, adopting-a-school is a great vehicle for connecting with a school in your local community. Join us in promoting four basic messages to maximize student success by creating healthy conditions at school and in the home – good character, stay-in-school, say no to drugs or alcohol and stop all bullying. Relationships can be developed with students through a combination of activities such as:

School-based Mentoringcultivates trusting relationships between adult role models and students, developing pro-social skills in students and a sense of belonging among their peers, families, and communities.

Life Skills Education addresses anger management, school dropout and substance abuse issues in a school setting.

Have an idea of how your faith-based organization can support schools? Let us know!

"Adopt-a-School” is simple! Contact the Community Resources office for more details at 407.317.3323.

Partnership Showcase

A Simple but Powerful Partnership

Partner Schoool: Timber Lakes Elementary

Genesis Church operates out of Timber Lakes Elementary and has certainly exemplified the partnership relationship by participating in many activities throughout the year. It is a simple, yet powerful partnership, which earned Genesis Church the Outstanding Partner in Education Award for 2012 from Orange County Public Schools. Timber Lakes Elementary’s vision is that all students will become responsible citizens who will excel academically and develop appropriate social behaviors. Genesis helps make this a reality.

Genesis Church has more than 50 members that are active ADDitions volunteers at school.They volunteer on a weekly basis to assist students in kindergarten through fifth grade so the children will excel academically as well as develop appropriate social behaviors.The teachers meet with the volunteers at the beginning of the school year to inform the volunteers as to what specific goals were set for each child with whom they would work.The teachers provide the volunteers with all the materials they will need to work with the children, whether it is in small group or one on one.The school has seen a number of children’s EduSoft scores improve and attributes one of the reasons of this to the volunteers working with the children on a regular basis.The members of Genesis come each day with a smile on their face.The children are excited to work with them.Through their dedication and hard work, Genesis volunteers also have helped instill self confidence and self esteem in the children.Another fantastic project was when Genesis had families bring plants and flowers to help beautify our school.After the families bought the plants and flowers, they came after school and worked into early evening to plant them in the front of the school.

Academic Excellence

​Math Bee Competition

Scores Exponentially!

For the third year at Pineloch Elementary, the second year at Mollie Ray Elementary, and the first year at Winegard Elementary, students have had the opportunity to participate in National Math Bees to showcase their skills and push them to reach their highest potential.

The National Math Bee is a math tournament where students from first through sixth grade compete in a real world interactive competition. The program is a fun and exciting way to help students achieve extraordinary levels of speed and accuracy with their math skills.

Recruitment Efforts

​St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Educational IMPACT Program

Partner Schoools:

Mollie Ray and Pineloch Elementary

For several years, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church has been making a tremendous difference in the lives of students at Mollie Ray and Pineloch Elementary schools. Through the church’s outreach, they established a program called “Educational IMPACT,” which works with selected public schools to provide services that will make a difference in the educational programs of the school. Education IMPACT works closely with the school Principal and designated staff to determine how the program can meet the needs of each school. Each school served has a Faith-Based Coordinating Team of four to eight members from St. Luke’s and two staff members from the school, whose responsibilities are to coordinate, promote, recruit and train volunteers, and monitor and evaluate the St. Luke’s IMPACT program at that school.

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church’s Educational IMPACT Program has helped Pineloch Elementary and Mollie Ray students improve their achievement in reading and math, with a very large and still-growing cadre of volunteers. Inaddition to having volunteers in the classroom they host other activities, such as the school’s annual Spring Carnival, or Field Day making sure each student has a day of fun. The church donates books, school supplies, clothing, computers and other electronics. St. Luke’s Educational IMPACT has made a huge impact on the academic and social life of Pineloch and Mollie Ray’s students, teachers and families.

Church and school leaders (pastor and designated church coordinator & school principal) are the key components for making this program a success. It is true, that when your leaders speak, members listen. To learn more, please contact St. Luke's Educational IMPACT representative Dr. Ruth McKeefery at (407) 876-4991 ext. *226 or by email at Rmckeefery@st.lukes.org.

Partnership = Action

​The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Puts Partnership Into Action

Partner Schoool: Palmetto Elementary

Over the course of the 2012-2013 academic year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Orlando South Stake), led by Community Outreach & Public Affairs Director Kayleen Stroud, has modeled best practices with the Faith-based Adopt-a-School Initiative in partnering with Palmetto Elementary.

Their continual dedication and involvement has led to successful weekly mentoring pairing of many of their members with Palmetto students.Moreover, their leadership and initiative have spearheaded several significant events that generated numerous resources for the students at Palmetto.Their work with Palmetto’s food pantry has provided sustenance during the summer months as well as generous holiday baskets.They have had a steady hand in ongoing fundraising efforts and contributed significant service hours to projects such as the school rummage sale, school beautification projects, donated books, and food & clothing drives.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has also staffed and organized special events such as the FCAT Carnival, obtained donations for Teacher Appreciation luncheons and other teacher recognition events. Their comprehensive contributions to Palmetto Elementary play a primary role in helping the school build a culture of increased parental involvement and student success.

AACCC Host Food Drive

​ More than 70 Richmond Heights and Apopka Elementary families were the recipients of a food drive, hosted by The African-American Council of Christian Clergy (AACCC).

On Easter Sunday, the congregations of the AACCC answered the call to donate to families in need. They collected almost two trucks full of canned and dried food items. The two centralized drop-off locations were Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and St. Mark African-American Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.

The AACCC is a Partner in Education with the Superintendent's Faith-Based Initiative to cultivate continuous community involvement in neighborhood schools to harness the power of volunteerism and servant leadership across Orange County.

Christ to the Nations Church

Partner Schoool:

Bonneville Elementary

Pastor Jaime Faberlle Leads by Example

A mentor encourages, inspires and gives hope to a student in need. Pastor Jaime Faberlle of Christ to the Nations has partnered with Bonneville Elementary to do just that. Every Monday morning he meets with his mentee to offer guidance and a listening ear. His mentee thrives on his consistent care and concern and eagerly awaits his arrival. Mr. Faberlle gives his mentee positive attention by being a stellar mentor and role model. He stays in constant communication with the mentee’s teacher to track his academic progress and offer support wherever needed.He is also the coordinator for the program All ProDads. This program allows fathers to meet in a safe environment and discuss ways that they can help their children academically and socially as well as offer outside resources for the family.In addition, he recruits additional mentors from his church and holds trainings for all volunteers interested in becoming a mentor.We applaud his leadership and are grateful for his hard work and dedication.​

Video Spotlight

Simple Steps

Both faith-based organization and school should plan at least three activities per year.

Pastor's Weekly Tips

Pastors are encouraged to emphasize the importance of parental and community involvement by announcing weekly tips provided by OCPS.

Please check this site often for new announcements/tips.

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READ, READ, READ!​

Read to your children

Let them read to you

Read together and discuss

Visit the public library regularly​

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Get Involved​

Teachers are your partners to help your child find success.

Go to PTA meetings, Open House, or parent/teacher conferences.

If you can’t get there, never hesitate to call and schedule a telephone conference with a teacher.​

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Faith-Based Partners

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Abundant Harvest Ministry

African American Council of Christian Clergy

Agape Perfect Praise & Worship Center

All Saints Episcopal Church

American Muslim Youth Leadership Council

Apostolic Worship Center

Apostolic Worship Center Child Development

Arise Christian Church

Audubon Park Covenant Church Women

Avalon Church

Calvary Church of the Nazarene

​Centro de la Familia Cristiana

Christ Kingdom Church

Christ to the Nations Church

Christian Service Center/Love Pantry

Christian Family Worship Center

Congregation of Reform Judaism

Destiny Community Church

Discovery Church

Discovery Church East, *IMPACT

Discovery Church West, *IMPACT

Downtown Baptist Church Orlando

Emmanuel Community Baptist Church

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Evangel Assembly of God

Faith Assembly Youth Group

Faith Center Ministries

Faith United Methodist Church, *IMPACT

FaithWorld Center of Orlando

First Baptist Child Enrichment Center

First Baptist Church of Orlando

First Baptist Church Windermere

First Presbyterian Church of Orlando After School

First United Methodist Church

Florida Hospital Seventh Day Adventist Church

Focal Point Church

Friends Community Church

Genesis Church Orlando

Genesis Spanish Seventh Day Adventist

Glad Tidings Church

Glory and Majesty Worship Center

Grace Baptist Church of Apopka

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

Grace Orlando Church

Guang Ming Temple/Buddha Light International Association

Hands of Hope

Highpoint Church

Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center

Hope Presbyterian Church

House of Prayer & Praise

Iglesia De Dios

Interfaith Council of Central Florida

Islamic Society of Central Florida/Center for Peace

JCC of Greater Orlando

Jewish Community Center

Journey Christian Church

Killarney Baptist Church

Kingdom Harvest

LifeSong Church

Livingston Street Church of God

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, *IMPACT

Mokanna Lodge

Mosaic Church

Mount Olive SDA Church

Mt. Olive AME Church

Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church

New Bethel AME Church

New Covenant Baptist Church

New Experience Church

New Life Community Church of The Nazarene

Orlando Baptist Church

Orlando Christian Prep

Outreach Love

Park Lake Presbyterian Child Care

Park Lake Presbyterian Church

Pershing Christian Church

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Real Life Christian Church

Redeeming Light Center

Reeves Memorial United Methodist Church

Rex Institute-Grave B. Church

Riverside Baptist Church

Sanctuary of Praise

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Sikh Society of Central Florida

Solid Rock Baptist Church

Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church

St Mary Magdalen Child Care Center

St. James Cathedral

St. John's Lutheran Church of Winter Park

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

Tangelo Park Baptist Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hunter's Creek Stake *IMPACT

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Orlando South Stake

The Experience Christian Center

Trinity Anglican Church

Union Park Christian School

University Carillon United Methodist Church

University Presbyterian Church

Vista Church

Westside Community Church

Westwood Church

Woodbury Presbyterian Church

Young Life Orlando - Urban

Zellwood United Methodist Church, *IMPACT

*St. Luke's United Methodist Church has expanded their IMPACT program by recruiting and training other faith-based organizations on ways to partner with schools.

If your organization is partnered with a school and is not listed, please make sure an official partnership agreement has been established with the school coordinator or the district office. Upon completion, contact the Community Resources for the website to be updated.

As required by Section 668.6076, Florida Statutes, you are hereby notified that:
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request,
do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. History.--s. 1, ch. 2006-232.